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Decadent Turtle Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 105 reviews

Decadent Turtle Bars are a luscious treat featuring a crisp shortbread base topped with rich, gooey caramel studded with toasted pecans, and finished with a glossy chocolate layer and a sprinkle of sea salt. These bars combine buttery textures and sweet, nutty flavors for a truly indulgent dessert perfect for gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup Cold Butter
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar

Caramel Layer

  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Toasted Pecans

Topping

  • 2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk)
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup Extra Pecans (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cold butter, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar. Blend the ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into a lined 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the crust turns a golden color.
  2. Make Caramel: While the crust bakes, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add granulated sugar and unsalted butter to the pan, stirring constantly until everything melts and combines smoothly, approximately 5 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream until the caramel is smooth and velvety. Then fold in the toasted pecans carefully.
  3. Assemble Caramel Layer: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked shortbread crust. Spread it out gently with a spatula to cover the crust completely. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and set.
  4. Add Chocolate Topping: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly to create a glossy chocolate finish. Sprinkle the top with sea salt and extra pecans for decoration.
  5. Chill and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Then refrigerate them for 30 minutes to firm up for cleaner cutting. Slice into bars and serve.

Notes

  • Using cold butter for the crust ensures a crisp, buttery texture.
  • Toast the pecans beforehand to enhance their natural flavor and crunch.
  • Microwave the chocolate in short intervals to avoid burning.
  • Refrigerating before slicing helps achieve neat, clean bar edges.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Turtle Bars, caramel bars, shortbread dessert, pecan bars, chocolate dessert, homemade bars

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/decadent-turtle-bars-recipe/